Patiala land scam: Inquiry officer stands by report

Divisional commissioner SR Ladhar, whose inquiry report indicted former Patiala deputy commissioner Vikas Garg and other officials in the Rs 250-crore land scam, has reiterated that the land in question was government property.

Garg had challenged the inquiry report on Monday, claiming that the land sold was private property.

Sources said Ladhar had written to the financial commissioner, revenue (FCR), that he stood by his report.

When contacted, Ladhar said it was a sensitive matter and he could not disclose information about inter-office communication.

Ladhar had indicted Garg, former IAS officer GS Grewal and certain revenue officials for the 'illegal' sale of 6,000 sq-yards land which houses offices of the civil surgeon, district town planner, district education office and the employment exchange.

After the indictment, Garg produced documents in an effort to prove that the land was private property and had been allotted to Kanwar Barjinder Singh, a member of the Patiala royal family.

Sources said Garg had shown the documents to the FCR as well as Ladhar. After perusing the papers, Ladhar forwarded a report to the FCR, reportedly stating that the documents provided by Garg confirmed that the land sold was government property.

Ladhar has also sent a physical demarcation report, which purportedly confirms that the land in question falls in government-owned Khasra No 103, not private-owned Khasra No 104, as claimed by Garg.

Ladhar has also recommended a full-fledged vigilance probe into the land sale.

Despite repeated attempts, financial commissioner, revenue, NS Kang could not be contacted for comment. Officials said he would submit his report to the government within a day or two.